SC-544 projects progress following pedestrian safety concerns near CCU

HORRY COUNTY, SC (WMBF) - A series of improvements moves forward along SC-544.

The South Carolina Department of Transportation and Coastal Carolina University are partnering to address pedestrian safety following the most recent accident in which CCU students were hit by a car in Aug.

The improvements are designed to support safer travel near the university and include reducing the speed limit to 35 mph, installing a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk, and enhancing pavement markings in the corridor.

SCDOT also continues to support the development of CCU’s planned pedestrian bridge near Founders Drive. The project will enter phase two of state approval after the final acquisition of the needed property was approved on Monday.

As the pedestrian bridge project continues through planning and design, SCDOT and CCU will also consider long-term safety improvements along the corridor.

Coastal Carolina University President James J. Winebrake said, “The immediate measures being implemented along SC-544, combined with our continued work on the pedestrian bridge, represent important steps toward creating safer connections between our campus and the surrounding community.”

SCDOT and Coastal Carolina University will continue coordinating on the timing and implementation of the improvements and will provide additional information as the projects progress.

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